Montana Grizzly Athletics produces much more than championships and scholar student-athletes.
Griz Athletics contributes more than $94 million in total spending for Missoula-area businesses annually according to a new report published by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research. A day after again announcing record-setting football season ticket sales, the report notes the increased demand for Grizzly athletics reflects the increased economic impact to the city of Missoula.
“It is a great time to be a Griz,” said UM President Seth Bodnar. “The vibrant connection between Griz Athletics and Montana’s business community continues to get stronger and to benefit communities across Montana. This report confirms what we know to be true: The Montana Grizzlies are helping to power Montana’s growing economy.”
The report found that Griz Athletics adds over $58 million in total gross domestic product for Missoula County each year, funding that goes towards critical infrastructure and public safety. Griz Athletic events also support more than $41 million in local labor income through salaries, wages and proprietor earnings. In total, 728 jobs in Missoula County are directly supported as a result of Grizzly Athletics and game-day events.
“The core mission of Grizzly Athletics is to develop young people through sports participation and earning a college degree,” said UM Director of Athletics Kent Haslam. “While we achieve our core mission, it is time to recognize that college athletics and entertainment in western Montana has become a significant economic driver. Our hope is that local businesses and Griz supporters recognize this trajectory and continue to show their support for our student athletes in new and growing ways.”
In addition to the economic data, the BBER report found new trends in the volume of non-resident visitors who travel to Missoula to participate in Griz Athletic events. Fifty-three percent of all Griz football game attendees travel from outside of Missoula County, and they stay an average of 2.2 days in Missoula while attending a game.
In fact, each Griz home football game draws $5.2 million in non-resident visitor spending to Missoula County, including $1.6 million in accommodations and $1.3 million in local restaurants and bars.
The BBER report is published at a critical time in college athletics. The University of Montana last month opted into the House v. NCAA settlement, which allows UM to share athletic-generated revenue with student-athletes and process name, image and likeness donations through UM’s athletic department.
As the landscape of college athletics continues to change, Haslam hopes the BBER report can inform businesses and supporters about the important role Griz Athletics in the community and the need to maintain a championship edge in the years ahead.
“Support from Griz Nation is unmatched and never taken for granted,” Haslam said. “We are thrilled that more and more local businesses are using Griz game days as a way to generate revenue. Through our commitment to provide additional benefits to the student-athletes, we are going to need increased investment from those who have the most to gain from the growing economic impact of Griz Athletics.”
The full BBER report is available online.
By: UM News service